Asthma and Physical

 

Activity


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Motivation

Motivation is what initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. Motivation is what causes us to act in different situations, whether it is getting a glass of water to clench your thirst or read a book to gain knowledge.

 

There are two different types of motivation: Intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is the strive inwardly to be self-determined to achieve your goals. Extrinsic motivation is the use of external sources, such as incentives, to obtain your goals.

 

Individuals with asthma have to be particularly motivated to exercise and stay physically active because it is more difficult for them to breath, which can decrease motivation. Exercising with a friend or playing sports that you enjoy are ways to maintain motivation.  

 

 

 

Consistency

Consistency is being able to do something on a regular basis in order to strive toward a goal or constantly improve. Being consistent is what allows us to continually be physically active and exercise or continually eat a healthy diet.

 

Consistency and motivation, when working together, make it much easier to achieve a goal. When someone’s motivation for an activity is poor, the likelihood of being consistent decreases drastically. Being consistent with exercise and eating a healthy diet is particularly important for individuals with asthma because staying physically active, without exceeding your limits, can decrease your signs and symptoms of asthma.  


Authority

Authority is someone having a higher position of knowledge and experience than you. Authority figures can help guide you in the right direction and give you the right information in order to succeed. An important authority figure for someone with asthma should be a physician. They can guide you to your limits of physical activity and allow you to push yourself safely and effectively. Consistently checking in with a physician and achieving goals will decrease the appearance of the signs and symptoms of asthma.

 

Excercising with Asthma

Physical activity has been shown to be very beneficial to many asthmatics and those struggling with breathing. People with asthma may beg to differ, but according to Dr. Christopher J. Worsnop, an Australian respiratory and sleep physician, opposing Ford et al, people with asthma tend to be more physically active and exercise more. Also, their lack of exercise deals more with lack of fitness rather than problems with airflow through the body. His studies have shown that army recruits with bronchoconstriction interfering with exercise can increase and improve their VO2 max to the same capacity as those without trouble breathing. Aerobic training also helps the most in mild asthma with fitness level and ventilatory capacity.

 

 Worsnop goes on to say that, "we should all undertake at least 30 min of moderate physical activity for all or most days of the week" (Worsnop, 2003). Obesity and asthma have also been correlated incorrectly, and, in fact, asthma is not always the case. But it is true that weight loss from increased physical activity has shown to increase asthma control. Other than obesity, there has also been a wrong correlation between lack of physical activity and asthma development for children. Asthma should not be an excuse to lay around anywhere and not do anything about it. It should be a motivational tool to exercise more than you would normally do to better your body. Another phrase that Dr. Worsnop says, "Having asthma should not be a barrier to exercise" (Worsnop, 2003).

Articles

 

MedicineNet.com – Exercise Preventing Asthma

 

Asthma.uk.org – Living with Asthma

 

The Lung Association – Exercise and Asthma

 

 

 

References

 

Worsnop, C. J. (2003). Asthma and physical activity. Chest Editorials, 124(2), 421-422. 

 

 The Lung Association - Exercise & Asthma

 

Exercising with Allergies and Asthma